Review by Jill Williamson
Lauren Durrough, the only daughter of a privileged family, is looking to find her own way in the world, at her own expense and without her father’s help. She takes a part-time job from Abigail, an eighty-three-year-old woman who needs the diary of her ancestor transcribed. The diary belonged to Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.
Lauren is captivated by Mercy, a sweet girl who lived alone with her father on a farm. Mercy’s mother and younger brother died when Mercy was younger and she bides her time taking care of her sick father and writing stories.
As the journal progresses and Mercy’s death draws near, Lauren learns more about herself and her employer, Abigail. All three women are connected in various ways, learning to fight for love, to forgive, and to thrive no matter what obstacle life might bring.
This book was absolutely amazing! Heart-wrenching, bittersweet, mysterious, and all together brilliant. Susan Meissner is an incredibly gifted storyteller. Her characters are alive, as human as anyone can be. The horror of what people must have gone through during the Salem witch trials was haunting, and the way Ms. Meissner wove Lauren’s journey with Mercy and Abigail’s sucked me in. So very well done. Highly recommended.
Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 305
Publisher: Waterbrook
Released: 2008
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